Many have tried to come after Sauce Gardner and very few have actually lived to tell the tale. Figuratively, of course, but you get the idea.
In just seven games as a professional, Gardner is already becoming one of the best cornerbacks in the game and is on his way to being a top shutdown corner. More often than not, he’s making opposing quarterbacks pay for testing him because he’s a rookie.
Take last week against the Broncos, for example. Denver had to go with Brett Rypien at quarterback because the Broncos were holding Russell Wilson out to let his hamstring heal. Rypien proceeded to go after Gardner ten times, the most targets Gardner has seen all season. Gardner allowed just four catches on those ten targets for 16 yards and a QB rating allowed of 47.9 to go along with three pass breakups. That’s Gardner’s fifth game allowing a QB rating of below 50, per Pro Football Focus.
And if opposing quarterbacks want to continue challenging Gardner? Well, Robert Saleh has a simple message for them.
“Keep trying him.”
#Jets HC Robert Saleh has message for opposing QBs throwing at Sauce Gardner
“Keep trying him”
Knows the interceptions are coming if they do.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) October 26, 2022
The funny thing is no one even knows yet who will be the next challenger for Gardner because the Jets’ Week 8 opponent, the New England Patriots, have no idea whether Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe will start this week. Either way, if they want to go after Gardner, proceed with caution.